Buster Kilrain

Buster Kilrain (1812-3 July 1863) was an Irish sergeant in the US Army during the American Civil War, serving with the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment under Colonel Joshua Chamberlain.

Biography
Buster Kilrain was born in Belfast, County Antrim, Ireland in 1812, and he left his home for the United States to escape British persecution and to live in a free country. Kilrain served in the US Army during the American Civil War, serving as a sergeant before being demoted to private for engaging in a drunken brawl with a superior. Kilrain became the aide-de-camp to Colonel Joshua Chamberlain of the 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and the two became close friends. On 2 July 1863, Kilrain assisted in the defense of Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg, and he was wounded twice in the right arm during the fighting. Kilrain's wounds were mortal, and he died in a field hospital before Thomas Chamberlain could pay him a visit.